Multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in board and printed circuit board having multilayer ceramic electronic part embedded therein

ABSTRACT

A multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board includes a ceramic body including dielectric layers and having main surfaces, side surfaces, and end surfaces; first and second internal electrodes including first and second leads exposed to the main surfaces; and first and second external electrodes formed on the end surfaces and extending to the main surfaces, wherein when a length from one of ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the main surfaces to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads is G, a length from one of the ends of the first or second external electrode to the end surfaces is BW, and a length from the end surfaces to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads is M, 30 μm≦G&lt;BM−M is satisfied.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0100977 filed on Aug. 26, 2013, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board and a printed circuit board having a multilayer ceramic electronic part embedded therein.

In accordance with high densification and high integration of an electronic circuit, a printed circuit board lacks a space for passive components to be mounted thereon. To solve this problem, an attempt to embed parts in the board, that is, to provide embedded devices, has been conducted. Particularly, various methods of embedding a multilayer ceramic electronic part used as a capacitive part in a board have been suggested.

As methods of providing a multilayer ceramic electronic part within a board, there is provided a method of using a board material itself as a dielectric material for a multilayer ceramic electronic part and using copper wiring, or the like as an electrode for a multilayer ceramic electronic part. Further, as other methods of implementing an embedded multilayer ceramic electronic part, there are provided a method of forming an embedded multilayer ceramic electronic part by forming a high-K polymer sheet or a dielectric thin film in a board, a method of embedding a multilayer ceramic electronic part in a board, and the like.

In general, a multilayer ceramic electronic part includes a plurality of dielectric layers formed of a ceramic material and internal electrodes inserted between the plurality of dielectric layers. Such a multilayer ceramic electronic part is disposed within a board, whereby an embedded multilayer ceramic electronic part having high capacitance may be implemented.

In order to manufacture a printed circuit board for a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded therein, the multilayer ceramic electronic part is inserted into a core substrate and then via holes need to be formed in an upper plate and a lower plate using a laser to connect board wirings to external electrodes of the multilayer ceramic electronic part. Such laser processing is a factor in significantly increasing manufacturing costs of the printed circuit board.

Meanwhile, since the multilayer ceramic electronic part needs to be embedded in a core portion of the board, a nickel/tin (Ni/Sn) plated layer does not need to be formed on the external electrode, unlike a general multilayer ceramic electronic part mounted on a surface of the board.

That is, since the external electrode of the embedded multilayer ceramic electronic part is electrically connected to a circuit in the board through a via made of copper (Cu) instead of the nickel/tin (Ni/Sn) layer, a copper (Cu) layer is required to be formed on the external electrode.

Typically, since the external electrode is formed of copper (Cu) as a main component but also includes glass, the glass component absorbs the laser during laser processing for forming the via in the board, and thus, it may be difficult to adjust a depth of the via.

For this reason, the copper (Cu) plating layer has been separately formed on the external electrode of the embedded multilayer ceramic electronic part.

However, due to the separately formed copper (Cu) plating layer, manufacturing costs may be increased, and due to the permeation of a plating solution, a problem in terms of reliability may still occur. Therefore, the above problems still need to be solved.

Meanwhile, an embedded-type multilayer ceramic electronic part is embedded in a printed circuit board used in a memory card, a PC main board, and a variety of RF modules, whereby the size of a product may be significantly decreased as compared to a surface mounting-type multilayer ceramic electronic part.

In addition, since the embedded multilayer ceramic electronic part may be disposed to be very adjacent to an input terminal of an active component such as a microprocessor unit (MPU), interconnect inductance caused by the length of wiring may be decreased.

An effect of decreasing the inductance in the embedded multilayer ceramic electronic part as mentioned above is merely considered to be the decrease in the interconnect inductance obtained by an unique arrangement known as an embedded method, and is still not sufficient to improve equivalent series inductance (ESL) characteristics of the embedded multilayer ceramic electronic part itself.

In general, a current path in the embedded multilayer ceramic electronic part needs to be short in order to decrease the ESL.

However, since the copper (Cu) plating layer is separately formed on the external electrode of the embedded multilayer ceramic electronic part, the plating solution may be permeated into the external electrode, whereby it is difficult to shorten the current path in the embedded multilayer ceramic electronic part.

Related Art Document

-   (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No.     2006-0073274

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure may provide a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board and a printed circuit board having a multilayer ceramic electronic part embedded therein.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board may include a ceramic body including dielectric layers and having first and second main surfaces opposing each other, first and second side surfaces opposing each other, and first and second end surfaces opposing each other; first and second internal electrodes having one of the dielectric layers interposed therebetween and including first and second leads exposed to the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body; and first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second end surfaces of the ceramic body and extending to the first and second main surfaces and the first and second side surfaces, wherein when a length from one of ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads is defined as G, a length from one of the ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to the end surfaces of the ceramic body is defined as BW, and a length from the end surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads is defined as M, 30 μm≦G<BM−M is satisfied.

The length M from the end surfaces of the ceramic body to the point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads may satisfy 50 μm≦M<BM−G.

The first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body may have an average thickness of 5 μm or more.

The first and second external electrodes may have a metal layer formed thereon, and the metal layer may be formed of copper (Cu).

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board may include a ceramic body including dielectric layers and having first and second main surfaces opposing each other, first and second side surfaces opposing each other, and first and second end surfaces opposing each other; first and second internal electrodes having one of the dielectric layers interposed therebetween and including first and second leads exposed to at least one of the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body; and first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second end surfaces of the ceramic body and extending to the first and second main surfaces and the first and second side surfaces, wherein when a length from one of ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads is defined as G, a length from one of the ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to the end surfaces of the ceramic body is defined as BW, and a length from the end surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads is defined as M, 50 μm≦M<BM−G is satisfied.

The first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body may have an average thickness of 5 μm or more.

The first and second external electrodes may include at least one selected from a group consisting of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), and alloys thereof.

The first and second external electrodes may have a metal layer formed thereon, and the metal layer may be formed of copper (Cu).

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board may include a ceramic body including dielectric layers and having first and second main surfaces opposing each other, first and second side surfaces opposing each other, and first and second end surfaces opposing each other; first and second internal electrodes having one of the dielectric layers interposed therebetween and including first and second leads exposed to the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body; and first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second end surfaces of the ceramic body and extending to the first and second main surfaces and the first and second side surfaces, wherein the first and second external electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second internal electrode on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body and the first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body have an average thickness of 5 μm or more.

When a length from one of ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads is defined as G, a length from one of the ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to the end surfaces of the ceramic body is defined as BW, and a length from the end surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads is defined as M, 30 μm≦G<<BW−M and 50 μm≦M<BM−G may be satisfied.

The first and second external electrodes may include at least one selected from a group consisting of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), and alloys thereof.

The first and second external electrodes may have a metal layer formed thereon, and the metal layer may be formed of copper (Cu).

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a printed circuit board having a multilayer ceramic electronic part embedded therein, the printed circuit board may include an insulating substrate; and the multilayer ceramic electronic part as described above embedded in the insulating substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a ceramic body of a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line X-X′ of FIG. 1, illustrating the shapes of first and second internal electrodes;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a printed circuit board having a multilayer ceramic electronic part embedded therein according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating equivalent series inductance (ESL) according to an inventive example and a comparative example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The disclosure may, however, be exemplified in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

In the drawings, the shapes and dimensions of elements may be exaggerated for clarity, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout to designate the same or like elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a ceramic body of a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a ceramic body 10 including dielectric layers 11 and having first and second main surfaces opposing each other, first and second side surfaces opposing each other, and first and second end surfaces opposing each other; first and second internal electrodes 21 and 22 having one of the dielectric layers 11 interposed therebetween and including first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b exposed to the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10; and first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 formed on the first and second end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 and extending to the first and second main surfaces and the first and second side surfaces.

Hereinafter, the multilayer ceramic electronic part according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described by taking a multilayer ceramic capacitor by way of example. However, the present inventive concept is not limited thereto.

The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to the present embodiment may be a two-terminal vertically laminated or vertical multilayer capacitor. The “vertically laminated or vertical multilayer” capacitor refers to a capacitor in which internal electrodes are disposed perpendicularly to amounting surface of a circuit board, and the “two-terminal” capacitor refers to a capacitor including two terminals connected to the circuit board.

In the multilayer ceramic capacitor according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a ‘length direction’ refers to an ‘L’ direction of FIG. 1, a ‘width direction’ refers to a ‘W’ direction of FIG. 1, and a ‘thickness direction’ refers to a ‘T’ direction of FIG. 1.

Here, the ‘width direction’ is the same as a direction in which dielectric layers are laminated, that is, a ‘lamination direction’.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a shape of the ceramic body 10 is not particularly limited, but may be hexahedral as illustrated.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the ceramic body 10 may have the first and second main surfaces opposing each other, the first and second side surfaces opposing each other, and the first and second end surfaces opposing each other, and the first and second main surfaces refer to upper and lower surfaces of the ceramic body 10, respectively.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a raw material forming the dielectric layers 11 is not particularly limited as long as sufficient capacitance may be obtained, but may be a barium titanate (BaTiO₃) powder, for example.

As a material forming the dielectric layers 11, various ceramic additives, organic solvents, plasticizers, binders, dispersing agents, and the like, may be added to a powder such as a barium titanate (BaTiO₃) powder, or the like.

An average particle size of the ceramic powder used for forming the dielectric layers 11 is not particularly limited, and may be adjusted to satisfy desired dielectric properties. For example, an average particle diameter of the ceramic powder may be adjusted to be 400 nm or less.

A material for forming the first and second internal electrodes 21 and 22 is not particularly limited, but may be a conductive paste formed of, for example, precious metals such as palladium (Pd), a palladium-silver (Pd—Ag) alloy, and the like, and at least one of nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu).

The first internal electrode 21 may include the first and second leads 21 a and 21 b exposed to the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10, respectively.

In addition, the second internal electrode 22 may include the first and second leads 22 a and 22 b exposed to the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10, respectively.

In addition, the first and second internal electrodes 21 and 22 may be electrically connected to the first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 by the first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b exposed to the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10.

Unlike a general multilayer ceramic capacitor in which internal electrodes are connected to external electrodes through both end surfaces of the ceramic body, the internal electrodes in the present embodiment are extended and exposed to the upper and lower surfaces of the ceramic body and a current path is shortened, whereby equivalent series inductance (ESL) may be decreased.

According to the present embodiment, the first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 may be formed to extend from the first and second end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to the first and second main surfaces and the first and second side surfaces.

The first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 may be formed of a material including a conductive metal and glass.

In order to form capacitance, the first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 may be formed to extend from the first and second end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to the first and second main surfaces and the first and second side surfaces, and may be electrically connected to the first and second internal electrodes 21 and 22 by the first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b exposed to the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10.

The first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 may be formed of the same conductive material as that of the first and second internal electrodes 21 and 22, but are not limited thereto, and may be formed of at least one conductive metal selected from a group consisting of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), and alloys thereof, for example.

The first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 may be formed by applying and sintering a conductive paste prepared by adding glass frit to conductive metal powder.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a metal layer formed of copper (Cu) may be further formed on the first external electrode 31 and the second external electrode 32.

In general, since a multilayer ceramic capacitor is mounted on a printed circuit board, a nickel and tin plating layer may be formed on external electrodes.

However, the multilayer ceramic capacitor according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is not mounted on the printed circuit board, but is embedded in the board, and thus, a circuit of the board may be electrically connected to the first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 through vias formed of copper (Cu).

Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a metal layer formed of copper (Cu) having excellent electrical connectivity with copper (Cu) forming the vias in the board may be further formed on the first and second external electrodes 31 and 32.

Meanwhile, since the first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 are formed of copper (Cu) as a main component but also include glass, the glass component absorbs laser during laser processing for forming the vias in the board, and thus, it may be difficult to adjust depths of the vias.

This problem may be solved by forming the metal layer formed of copper (Cu) on the first and second external electrodes 31 and 32.

A method of forming the metal layer formed of copper (Cu) is not particularly limited. For example, the metal layer may be formed by a plating method.

As another method, the metal layer may be formed by applying a conductive paste including copper (Cu) with the exclusion of glass frit to the first and second external electrodes 31 and 32.

In the case in which the metal layer is formed by the application of the conductive paste, the metal layer may be only formed of copper (Cu) after sintering.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line X-X′ of FIG. 1, illustrating the shapes of first and second internal electrodes.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the multilayer ceramic electronic part according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when a length from one of ends of the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b is defined as G, a length from one of the ends of the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to the end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 is defined as BW, and a length from the end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b is defined as M, 30 μm≦G<BM−M may be satisfied.

When the length G from one of ends of the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b is adjusted to satisfy 30 μm≦G<BM−M, a decrease in reliability caused by permeation of a plating solution may be prevented.

In the case in which the length G from one of ends of the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b is below 30 μm, reliability may be decreased by the permeation of the plating solution.

In the case in which the length G from one of ends of the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b is equal to a value obtained by subtracting the length M from the end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads from the length BW from one of the ends of the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to the end surfaces of the ceramic body 10, the leads cannot be formed, whereby the internal electrodes and the external electrodes cannot be connected through the upper and lower surfaces of the ceramic body 10.

In a multilayer ceramic electronic part according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the length M from the end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b may satisfy 50 μm≦M<BM−G, in addition to the above-described characteristics according to the previous embodiment of the present disclosure.

By adjusting the length M from the end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b to satisfy 50 μm≦M<BM−G, delamination may be prevented, whereby the multilayer ceramic electronic part may have excellent reliability.

In the case in which the length M from the end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b is below 50 μm, the delamination may occur, whereby reliability may be decreased.

In the case in which the length M from the end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b is equal to BW−G, the leads cannot be formed, whereby the internal electrodes and the external electrodes cannot be connected through the upper and lower surfaces of the ceramic body 10.

Meanwhile, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, an average thickness te of the first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 may be 5 μm or more.

By adjusting the average thickness te of the first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to be 5 μm or more, the decrease in reliability caused by the permeation of the plating solution may be prevented.

In the case in which the average thickness te of the first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 is below 5 μm, reliability may be decreased by the permeation of the plating solution.

The average thickness te of the first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10, the length G from one of ends of the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b, the length BW from one of the ends of the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to the end surfaces of the ceramic body 10, and the length M from the end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b may be measured on an image captured by scanning a cross-section of the ceramic body 10 in a length-thickness direction thereof using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) as shown in FIG. 3.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the average thickness to and the respective lengths G, BW, and M may be obtained by measuring the length and thickness of corresponding portions of the first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 from the image captured by scanning the cross-section of the ceramic body 10 taken in the length-thickness (L-T) direction after cutting in a central portion of the ceramic body 10 in the width direction thereof using the scanning electron microscope (SEM).

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board may include: a ceramic body 10 including dielectric layers 11 and having first and second main surfaces opposing each other, first and second side surfaces opposing each other, and first and second end surfaces opposing each other; first and second internal electrodes 21 and 22 having one of the dielectric layers 11 interposed therebetween and including first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b exposed to at least one of the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10; and first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 formed on the first and second end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 and extending to the first and second main surfaces and the first and second side surfaces, wherein when a length from one of ends of the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b is defined as G, a length from one of the ends of the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to the end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 is defined as BW, and a length from the end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads is defined as M, 50 μm≦M<BM−G is satisfied.

An average thickness of the first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body may be 5 μm or more.

The first and second external electrodes may include at least one selected from a group consisting of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), and alloys thereof.

A metal layer formed of copper (Cu) may be further formed on the first and second external electrodes.

Details of the multilayer ceramic capacitor according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the multilayer ceramic capacitor according to the above-described embodiment. Therefore, descriptions thereof will be omitted.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board may include a ceramic body 10 including dielectric layers 11 and having first and second main surfaces opposing each other, first and second side surfaces opposing each other, and first and second end surfaces opposing each other; first and second internal electrodes 21 and 22 having one of the dielectric layers 11 interposed therebetween and including first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b exposed to at least one of the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10; and first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 formed on the first and second end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 and extending to the first and second main surfaces and the first and second side surfaces, wherein the first and second external electrodes 31 and 32 are electrically connected to the first and second internal electrodes 21 and 22 on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10, and an average thickness of the first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 is 5 μm or more.

When a length from one of ends of the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b is defined as G, a length from one of the ends of the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to the end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 is defined as BW, and a length from the end surfaces of the ceramic body 10 to a point at which the first or second external electrode 31 or 32 contacts the first and second leads is defined as M, 30 μm≦G<BM and 50 μm≦M<BM−G may be satisfied.

The first and second external electrodes may include at least one selected from a group consisting of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), and alloys thereof.

A metal layer formed of copper (Cu) may be further formed on the first and second external electrodes.

Details of the multilayer ceramic capacitor according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the multilayer ceramic capacitor according to the above-described embodiment. Therefore, descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In a method of manufacturing a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of ceramic green sheets may first be prepared by applying slurry including a barium titanate (BaTiO₃) powder and the like to carrier films and drying the same, thereby forming dielectric layers.

The slurry may be prepared by mixing a ceramic powder, a binder, and a solvent, and the slurry may be used to form the ceramic green sheet having a thickness of several μm by a doctor blade method.

Next, a conductive paste for internal electrodes may be prepared to include 40 to 50 parts by weight of a nickel powder having a nickel particle average size of 0.1 to 0.2 μm.

The conductive paste for internal electrodes may be applied to the green sheets by a screen printing method to thereby form internal electrodes, and then the green sheets having the internal electrodes formed thereon may be stacked in an amount of 200 to 300 layers, whereby a ceramic body may be manufactured.

Next, first and second external electrodes including a conductive metal and glass may be formed on upper and lower surfaces and end portions of the ceramic body.

The conductive metal is not particularly limited, but may be at least one selected from a group consisting of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), and alloys thereof, for example.

The glass is not particularly limited, but a material having the same composition as that of glass used for manufacturing external electrodes of a general multilayer ceramic capacitor may be used.

The first and second external electrodes may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the ceramic body and the end portions of the ceramic body so as to be electrically connected to the first and second internal electrodes, respectively.

Then, a metal layer formed of copper (Cu) may be formed on the first and second external electrodes.

A description of the same features as those of the embedded multilayer ceramic electronic part according to the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure will be omitted herein.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a printed circuit board having a multilayer ceramic electronic part embedded therein according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, a printed circuit board 100 having a multilayer ceramic electronic part embedded therein according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include an insulating substrate 110, and the embedded multilayer ceramic electronic part according to the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure.

The insulating substrate 110 may have a structure including an insulating layer 120, and may include a conductive pattern 130 and a conductive via hole 140 configuring an interlayer circuit having various forms as shown in FIG. 4, as necessary. The insulating substrate 110 may be the printed circuit board 100 including the multilayer ceramic electronic part embedded therein.

After the multilayer ceramic electronic part is inserted into the printed circuit board 100, it equally experiences several severe environments during post-processing such as a heat treatment of the printed circuit board 100.

Particularly, shrinkage and expansion of the printed circuit board 100 in the heat treatment are directly delivered to the multilayer ceramic electronic part inserted into the printed circuit board 100 to thereby apply stress to an adhesion surface between the multilayer ceramic electronic part and the printed circuit board 100.

In the case in which the stress applied to the adhesion surface between the multilayer ceramic electronic part and the printed circuit board 100 is greater than adhesion strength, peeling defects in which the adhesion surface is peeled may occur.

Since the adhesion strength between the multilayer ceramic electronic part and the printed circuit board 100 is proportional to electrochemical adhesion and an effective surface area of the adhesion surface between the multilayer ceramic electronic part and printed circuit board 100, surface roughness of the multilayer ceramic electronic part may be controlled to improve the effective surface area, whereby the peeling phenomenon between the multilayer ceramic electronic part and the printed circuit board 100 may be alleviated.

Hereinafter, the present inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to inventive and comparative examples, but is not limited thereto.

Inventive Example

According to Inventive Example, a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board was manufactured to satisfy the above numerical values with regard to the average thickness to of the first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body, the length G from one of ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads, and the length M from the end surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads.

Comparative Example

According to Comparative Example, a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board was manufactured under the same conditions as those of the inventive example, except that numerical values with regard to the average thickness te of the first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body, the length G from one of ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads, and the length M from the end surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads are out of the numerical ranges of Inventive Example.

The following Table 1 shows reliability comparison results based on the values with regard to the average thickness te of the first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body and the length G from one of ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads.

The reliability evaluation was determined based on whether or not an accelerated life was decreased by the permeation of the plating solution. Tests were performed by applying rated voltage to samples for 1 hour under condition 8585 (85° C. and humidity of 85%). A case having an error rate less than 0.01% is indicated as ⊚; a case having an error rate of 0.01% to 1.00% is indicated as ◯; a case having an error rate of 1.00% to 50% is indicated as Δ; and a case having an error rate of 50% or more is indicated as X.

TABLE 1 Average Thickness of Reliability Samples External Electrode (μm) G (μm) Evaluation *1 1.00 10 X *2 1.00 20 X *3 1.00 30 X *4 1.00 40 X *5 1.00 50 X *6 3.00 10 Δ *7 3.00 20 Δ *8 3.00 30 Δ *9 3.00 40 Δ *10  3.00 50 Δ *11  5.00 10 Δ *12  5.00 20 Δ 13 5.00 30 ◯ 14 5.00 40 ⊚ 15 5.00 50 ⊚ *16  7.00 10 Δ *17  7.00 20 Δ 18 7.00 30 ◯ 19 7.00 40 ⊚ 20 7.00 50 ⊚ *Comparative Example

Referring to Table 1, in samples 1 to 12, corresponding to comparative examples, in which the average thickness to of the first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body was out of the numerical range of the inventive example, it may be appreciated that they have reliability problems resulting from a decrease in the accelerated life due to the permeation of the plating solution.

In addition, in samples 16 and 17, corresponding to comparative examples, in which the length G from one of ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads was out of the numerical range of the inventive example, it may be appreciated that they have reliability problems.

On the other hand, in samples 13 to 15 and samples 18 to 20, in which the numerical ranges were all satisfied, it may be appreciated that they have excellent reliability.

The following Table 2 shows reliability comparison results based on the values with regard to the length M from the end surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads.

The reliability evaluation was determined based on whether or not delamination was generated, and more particularly, was determined based on whether or not the delamination was generated by examining a cut surface of the ceramic body. A case having an error rate less than 0.01% is indicated as ⊚; a case having an error rate of 0.01% to 1.00% is indicated as ◯; a case having an error rate of 1.00% to 50% is indicated as Δ; and a case having an error rate of 50% or more is indicated as X.

TABLE 2 Samples M (μm) Reliability Evaluation *21 20 X *22 25 X *23 30 X *24 35 Δ *25 40 Δ *26 45 Δ  27 50 ◯  28 55 ◯  29 65 ◯  30 70 ⊚  31 75 ⊚  32 80 ⊚ *Comparative Example

Referring to Table 2, in samples 21 to 26, corresponding to comparative examples, in which the length M from the end surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads was out of the numerical range of the inventive example, it may be appreciated that they have reliability problems due to delamination.

On the other hand, in samples 27 to 32, in which the numerical range was satisfied, it may be appreciated that they have excellent reliability.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating equivalent series inductance (ESL) according to an inventive example and a comparative example.

Referring to FIG. 5, it may be appreciated that the equivalent series inductance (ESL) according to the inventive example is lower than the equivalent series inductance (ESL) according to the comparative example.

Therefore, it may be appreciated that the multilayer ceramic electronic part according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be manufactured to have the internal electrodes in a vertically laminated or vertical multilayer form while the internal electrodes are extended to be exposed to the upper and lower surfaces of the ceramic body, whereby the current path may be shortened and the equivalent series inductance (ESL) may be decreased.

As set forth above, in a multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a current path is shortened by extending internal electrodes to be exposed to main surfaces of a ceramic body, such that equivalent series inductance may be decreased.

In addition, the internal electrodes are extended to be exposed to only the main surfaces of the ceramic body, such that a decrease in reliability caused by permeation of a plating solution may be prevented.

While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board, comprising: a ceramic body including dielectric layers and having first and second main surfaces opposing each other, first and second side surfaces opposing each other, and first and second end surfaces opposing each other; first and second internal electrodes having one of the dielectric layers interposed therebetween and including first and second leads exposed to the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body; and first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second end surfaces of the ceramic body and extending to the first and second main surfaces and the first and second side surfaces, wherein when a length from one of ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads is defined as G, a length from one of the ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to the end surfaces of the ceramic body is defined as BW, and a length from the end surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads is defined as M, 30 μm≦G<BM−M is satisfied.
 2. The multilayer ceramic electronic part of claim 1, wherein the length M from the end surfaces of the ceramic body to the point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads satisfies 50 μm≦M<BM−G.
 3. The multilayer ceramic electronic part of claim 1, wherein the first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body have an average thickness of 5 μm or more.
 4. The multilayer ceramic electronic part of claim 1, wherein the first and second external electrodes have a metal layer formed thereon, the metal layer being formed of copper (Cu).
 5. A multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board, comprising: a ceramic body including dielectric layers and having first and second main surfaces opposing each other, first and second side surfaces opposing each other, and first and second end surfaces opposing each other; first and second internal electrodes having one of the dielectric layers interposed therebetween and including first and second leads exposed to at least one of the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body; and first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second end surfaces of the ceramic body and extending to the first and second main surfaces and the first and second side surfaces, wherein when a length from one of ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads is defined as G, a length from one of the ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to the end surfaces of the ceramic body is defined as BW, and a length from the end surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads is defined as M, 50 μm≦M<BM−G is satisfied.
 6. The multilayer ceramic electronic part of claim 5, wherein the first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body have an average thickness of 5 μm or more.
 7. The multilayer ceramic electronic part of claim 5, wherein the first and second external electrodes include at least one selected from a group consisting of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), and alloys thereof.
 8. The multilayer ceramic electronic part of claim 5, wherein the first and second external electrodes have a metal layer formed thereon, the metal layer being formed of copper (Cu).
 9. A multilayer ceramic electronic part to be embedded in a board, comprising: a ceramic body including dielectric layers and having first and second main surfaces opposing each other, first and second side surfaces opposing each other, and first and second end surfaces opposing each other; first and second internal electrodes having one of the dielectric layers interposed therebetween and including first and second leads exposed to the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body; and first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second end surfaces of the ceramic body and extending to the first and second main surfaces and the first and second side surfaces, wherein the first and second external electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second internal electrode on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body, and the first and second external electrodes formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body have an average thickness of 5 μm or more.
 10. The multilayer ceramic electronic part of claim 9, wherein when a length from one of ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads is defined as G, a length from one of the ends of the first or second external electrode formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body to the end surfaces of the ceramic body is defined as BW, and a length from the end surfaces of the ceramic body to a point at which the first or second external electrode contacts the first and second leads is defined as M, 30 μm≦G<<BW−M and 50 μm≦M<BM−G are satisfied.
 11. The multilayer ceramic electronic part of claim 9, wherein the first and second external electrodes include at least one selected from a group consisting of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), and alloys thereof.
 12. The multilayer ceramic electronic part of claim 9, wherein the first and second external electrodes have a metal layer formed thereon, the metal layer being formed of copper (Cu).
 13. A printed circuit board having a multilayer ceramic electronic part embedded therein, the printed circuit board comprising: an insulating substrate; and the multilayer ceramic electronic part of claim 1 embedded in the insulating substrate.
 14. A printed circuit board having a multilayer ceramic electronic part embedded therein, the printed circuit board comprising: an insulating substrate; and the multilayer ceramic electronic part of claim 5 embedded in the insulating substrate.
 15. A printed circuit board having a multilayer ceramic electronic part embedded therein, the printed circuit board comprising: an insulating substrate; and the multilayer ceramic electronic part of claim 9 embedded in the insulating substrate. 